The Health Department says it’s more than what was collected in the spring.
Scene from National Drug Take Back Day at the Frederick County Health Department, , Oct. 26th, 2024
(Photo from Frederick County Health Department)
Frederick, Md (KM) More than 350 pounds of unwanted and unused medications were turned in by 150 residents during Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26th in Frederick County. That’s according to the Frederick County Health Department.
“We are grateful to our community and partners who came out on a lovely afternoon and gave part of their Saturday to make this event a success. We collected 100 pounds more of unwanted or expired medications than we did in the spring,” says Nate Smith, the Health Department’s Opioid Misuse Prevention Program Coordinator, in a statement. “A huge thanks to the Frederick Police Department, Maryland State Police, and the DEA for helping to staff the event, and most of all, we thank our Frederick community for turning out in larger numbers than the past few events to dispose of medications and syringes safely, which help keep our community safe.”
In addition to the medications, residents also dropped off almost 10,000 sharps at both locations for the event, the Health Department on Montevue Lane, and the Law Enforcement Center on Airport Drive East
The annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was sponsored by the Health Department, the Frederick Police, the Maryland State Police and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Health Department says those who couldn’t make it to the Drug Take Back Day last month can drop off unused medications and medicinal patches at these sites around the county all year round:
*Brunswick Police Department, 811 West Potomac Street, Brunswick
*Emmitsburg Community Center, 300 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg.
*Frederick County Law Enforcement Center, 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick.
*Frederick Police Department, 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick.
*Middletown Municipal Center, 301 Main Street, Middletown.
*Myersville Municipal Center, 31 West Main Street, Myersville
*Thurmont Police Department, 800 East Main Street, Thurmont.
By Kevin McManus